RIEKENA, Peter B. 1875-1953

RIEKENA, OHDEN, ROSS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 12/22/2016 at 18:55:49

Obituary Of Peter B. Riekena

Peter B. Riekena passed away in his sleep at his home Monday morning, November 16, 1953 at 10 a.m. He attained the age of 78 years, 8 months, and 20 days at the time of his decease. The direct cause of his death was heart failure. It was also a heart condition which necessitated his retirement from active farming in 1949. Although his illness was complicated by dropsy, he had been able to be up and around during the past four years.

Mr. Riekena was born to Ben Riekena and Grietje Ohden on February 26, 1875 on a farm 2 miles west and 3/4 of a mile north of Wellsburg. He spent his entire life in this vicinity engaged in farming.

On February 7, 1901 he was united in marriage to Grietje Ross by the Rev. John Timmerman in the parsonage of the 1st Christian Reformed Church. Four children were born of this union, Ben, Gladys, Grace and William. For the first 20 years of married life, the family resided on a farm 2 miles west and 2 miles south of Wellsburg, after which time they moved to and continued to live on the place of Mr. Riekena's birth.

Surviving him are his wife and four children; two brothers, Joe and Gratus, and three sisters, Lena (Mrs. Ebbo Nederhoff), Antje (Mrs. George Geerdes), and Florence (Mrs. Albert Lutterman). He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Wiert; and two sisters, Freda (Mrs. Jon Mennenga) and Gepke (Mrs. Alle Eertmoed).

Funeral services were held Thursday, November 19, 1953 at 1:00 at the home and later at the First Christian Reformed Church of Wellsburg, the Rev. Alfred Hannink officiating. Casketbearers were Renk J. Riekena, Ben G. Riekena, Henry E. Nederhoff, Jans Mennenga, Jake G. Geerdes, and Albert Eertmoed.

--The Wellsburg Herald (Wellsburg, Iowa), 26 November 1953, pg 1